London-based indie six-piece Sports Team finally got to play The Leadmill, initially booked in for 30th March 2020. The gig was organised by Sheffield record shop Bear Tree Records in support of the release of the bands’ debut album, Deep Down Happy which came out in June 2020.
The Mercury Prize-nominated album reached number two in the album charts, packed with catchy hooks which are brought to life now that the band can finally perform them in front of a crowd and release the energy they have been saving in lockdown.
Whilst Sports Team are set to go on a huge tour in autumn this was a much more intimate affair as they packed out the small room of The Leadmill and rattled through an hour set. Opening with Here It Comes from the debut album before their latest single, Happy (God’s Own Country). The six-piece are fronted by the charismatic Alex Rice who patrolled the cramped stage, frequently balanced on the barrier and spent time in the mosh pit whilst his bandmates watched on.
Throughout the set the band mixed in album tracks with fan favourites from 2019 EP Keep Walking! and some promising new material but it was Here’s the Thing that sent the crowd into chaos.
Deep Down Happy might be a soundtrack for the pandemic but Sports Team are one of the most exciting bands that have come out of the UK in years.
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